Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, VFW Post 2108 in Johnson City, Tennessee, revved up its efforts to aid as many local veterans and their families as possible.
Post 2108, which hosts a food bank on the second Thursday of every month for veterans, joined forces with Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee and the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency in June.
As a result, the trio secured more than 400 pounds of food for 40 veteran families, who abided the social-distancing protocol by driving up in their cars to collect the boxes of food and supplies.
The Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency, a social services organization in Kingsport, about 23 miles northwest of Johnson City, also assisted veterans with rent and energy assistance, offering between $350 and $500 in credit to the veteran’s choice of energy providers.
For Post 2108 Commander, T.J. Miles, the turnout was as expected.
“It turned out real well, which is what we had hoped for,” Miles said. “The sad part is that there are many people in need of what we are doing.”
Miles and Post 2108 members, however, expect to continue to provide such aid to veterans and their families for as long as necessary. In the end, Miles noted, that’s what the VFW has always been there to do.
“Helping veterans is what we’re supposed to be doing,” he said. “It makes us feel good that we can help them, even if it’s in this small way.”
Post 2108’s next scheduled food bank is slated for July 16 at 1:30 p.m.